Selective effect of mercury on Th2-type cytokine production in humans

Gabriele De Vos, Sherif Abotaga, Zenghua Liao, Elina Jerschow, David Rosenstreich

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

40 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mercury induces autoimmune disease and increases IL-4 production and IgE levels in certain rodent strains. The object of this study was to determine if mercury was capable of inducing Th2 cytokine production in human leucocytes. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were incubated with PMA/ionomycin or Con A in the presence or absence of methyl mercury (CH3Hg) or mercuric chloride (HgCl2). IL-4 and gamma-IFN were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: IL-4 production significantly increased at low concentrations of CH3Hg (0.5 uM, p < 0.01), while gamma-IFN production was suppressed starting at CH3Hg 2 uM (p = 0.004). Inorganic mercury (HgCl2) increased IL-4 only at concentrations 10-20 times higher than CH3Hg. These findings suggest a mechanism by which mercury could trigger or potentiate TH2 cytokine production in humans.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)537-548
Number of pages12
JournalImmunopharmacology and Immunotoxicology
Volume29
Issue number3-4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2007

Keywords

  • Cytokine
  • Gamma-IFN
  • IL-4
  • Mercuric Chloride
  • Mercury
  • Methyl Mercury

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology
  • Toxicology
  • Pharmacology

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